The Master of Library and Information Science degree is a program of basic professional education designed to prepare students for entry into positions in libraries and information centers in colleges, schools, communities, industries, and businesses. The MLIS program provides students not only a strong core of general knowledge of the profession but also the opportunity to explore individual areas of interest as related to specific career preparation. Instruction is available to students in all areas of South Carolina through an extensive program of distance education. Advances in educational technology have made it possible for the University of South Carolina to work cooperatively with appropriate agencies in Georgia, West Virginia, and Maine to offer the complete MLIS program to students in those states who would not otherwise have had access to an ALA accredited program of library and information science.
Admission to the School of Library and Information Science is selective and is based on the faculty's assessment of the applicant's aptitude for graduate study and potential contribution to the profession. The School of Library and Information Science takes an holistic approach to the admissions process. Consequently, an applicant's entire file is taken into consideration before an admission decision is made.
The admission policies of the SLIS shall apply to every applicant, full-time and part-time, regardless of the location in which the applicant plans to attend classes. An applicant for admission as a degree candidate in library and information science must fulfill all general admission requirements of the Graduate School of the University and the School of Library and Information Science prior to registration.
The School of Library and Information Science and the University of South Carolina provide equal opportunity and affirmative action in education and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. The University of South Carolina System has designated as the ADA Title II, Section 504 and Title IX coordinator the Executive Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs.
1. A completed USC Graduate School Application and a non-refundable $50.00 application fee. Go to the home page of the Graduate School and click on "Apply Now" or go directly to the Application.
2. An official transcript showing possession of a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency. The undergraduate record should show promise for graduate study with a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
3. Official transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended.
4. Letters of recommendation from 2 persons. These persons should be in a position to evaluate (a) your academic performance at the undergraduate or graduate level (e.g., faculty or instructors) or (b) your job performance (e.g., supervisors or administrators). Letters from friends and relatives which speak only of the person's personal attributes will not be accepted. For guidance concerning this matter, please contact the SLIS Admissions Coordinator.
Forms are available at http://gradschool.sc.edu/doclibrary/documents/G-LOR.letter.of.recommendation.pdf .
5. The School of Library and Information Science requires one of the following:
a. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Official score reports for the GRE taken within the last five years must indicate a total score of 950 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions. The verbal portion must have a score of at least 500. You may register online at www.ets.org/gre . USC institution code is 5818.
b. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) Official score reports for tests taken within the last five years must indicate a score of at least 410. For MAT information and testing center locations go to www.milleranalogies.com .
6. International Students: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ) International students whose native language is not English must also submit an official score report with a minimum score of 570 paper-based. TOEFL scores are available from ETS for two years. Information can be found at www.ets.org/toefl .
Degree Requirements:
For the Master of Library and Information Science degree, an approved program of at least 36 semester hours of graduate course work must be completed with a minimum grade point ratio of 3.00 (B) on all 700-800 level courses and overall.Nine hours of required courses are designed to provide the student with an understanding of the information professions. Students and their advisors will choose a minimum of 27 hours of elective courses. Elective courses in the School of Library and Information Science and graduate departments in other institutions may be used to develop a specialization in one or more areas or to provide a broad, general preparation for the information professions. A minimum of 24 graduate hours must be completed within the School.
Transfer Credit
The remaining 12 hours may be taken in other related academic units of the University. Students also have the option of transferring up to six semester hours of graduate course work from colleges or universities other than the University of South Carolina . Transfer credit may be transferred under the following conditions:
• the credit may not be more than six years old at the time the student will graduate;
• courses, which have been used to earn another degree, will not be accepted;
• Course work in library science must be earned at an ALA accredited library school;
• the credit must be germane to the student's career objectives;
• in the case of a required course, the student will present sufficient evidence (such as a syllabus or similar material) to permit determination by the advisor that the course reasonably duplicates the USC equivalent course;
• the course must have been taken for graduate credit and must be recorded as such on an official transcript which has been sent from the granting institution to the USC Graduate School ;
• the grade received must be a B or higher;
• the student must provide a course description comparable to that produced in the University catalog.
Students must also pass the Computer Competency test or take SLIS 706 and prepare an acceptable Portfolio to be eligible for graduation.
A student who receives grades below B on more than six hours of course work, or an F or U in any course, may not continue in the Master of Library and Information Science program. The student's admission to the MLIS program will be cancelled, and he or she will not be allowed to enroll in any further SLIS courses for at least one year. Additionally, a student's cumulative grade point average on all courses attempted for graduate credit at USC within the past six years, whether listed on the Program of Study or not, must be at least 3.00 (B) in order for the student to graduate with the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
USC Graduate School Policy Manual: 9/07
TRACKING STUDENTS' PROGRESS TO DEGREE
A . ACADEMIC STANDARDS
1. Academic Standards. For purposes of academic standards, cumulative GPA is defined as the grade point average of all in-date graduate-credit courses recorded on the official USC academic transcript. In-date courses are less than eight years old for doctoral students and less than six years old for master's, specialist, graduate certificate, and non-degree students. Revalidated courses are also included in the cumulative GPA calculation. Grades earned on graduate credits transferred from other universities are not included in the grade point average\
2 . Academic Standards for Progression. Graduate courses may be passed for degree credit with a grade as low as C, but a degree-seeking student's cumulative grade point average must be at least B (3.00 on a 4.00 scale).
3. Academic Standards for Graduation. At the time of graduation, the student's cumulative grade point average must be at least 3.00. Additionally, the student's average on all grades recorded on the Program of Study for courses numbered 700 or above must be at least 3.00.
4 . Academic Suspension Policy ("3.00 Rule"). Graduate degree-seeking students whose cumulative grade point average drops below 3.00 (B) will be placed on academic probation and allowed one calendar year in which to raise the grade point average to at least 3.00. Students who do not reach a cumulative 3.00 grade point average during the probationary period will not be permitted to enroll for further graduate course work as a degree or non-degree student.
Colleges and departments may impose more stringent requirements than The Graduate School's Academic suspension policy. Students should consult their advisors to ensure familiarity with departmental regulations.
5. Appeals for Reinstatement. Appeals for reinstatement from students who have been suspended should be reviewed first by the department and/or college and then forwarded to the dean of The Graduate School for review by the Graduate Council.
SLIS students should first contact the Student Services Manager if they seek reinstatement and want to submit a petition for readmission.
Probation and Suspension by the Graduate School
Students who have prior course work or experience in the library or information professions may request to take an exemption examination for either SLIS 705 or SLIS 707. Exemption from required courses does not reduce the length of the program. Exemption evaluations are made only during the fall and spring semesters. Students should contact the Student Services Manager for further details.
**SLIS 701 must be taken in your first semester and cannot be exempted.